Dormancy inDioscorea: Sprouting promotion by inhibitors of protein synthesis in bulbils and rhizomes

摘要

The sprouting of immature and half-dormant mature bulbils and rhizomes in some species ofDioscoreawas promoted by treatment with inhibitors of protein synthesis, although the sprouting of completely awake mature bulbils was inhibited. Gibberellic acid (GA3) inhibition of the sprouting was relieved by cycloheximide and some base and amino acid analogues.Polyphenol oxidase activity in the bulbils decreased after incubation with the protein-synthesis inhibitors.Possible involvement of protein synthesis in inducing dormancy ofDioscoreabulbils is discussed.